Current Residents

I never thought I'd stay in Wisconsin for residency after medical school here, but that changed after my interview day in Madison. I was so impressed by the supportive people I met, their dedication to education and research, and their overall commitment to make their residents not just better physicians but better people. I loved the size of the residency program - large enough where you get all of the exposure you need and can find someone to cover a shift, but also small enough where you get to know all of your co-residents and will be on a first-name basis with most of your attendings. I felt very welcomed by all of the people I met on my interview day and was excited by the opportunities that would come from being affiliated with a large academic institution like the University of Wisconsin. Aside from the program, I love all of the outdoor activities Madison has to offer. The biking trails make it easy to get outside and near the lake no matter where in the city you live, which is a great way to relax after a work day!

Not having gone to medical school in the US, I was a little nervous starting residency . . . My fears were allayed on my very first day of intern year when everyone on the team did everything they could to make me feel welcome. My interview day was the first time I'd visited AFCH. Even though I had never met any of the residents before, I didn't feel displaced even for a second. The kinship the residents shared was evident from as early on as the pre-interview dinner and was (and still is!) one of my favorite things about the program. Not having gone to medical school in the US, I was a little nervous starting residency especially about learning EMR and "getting used to the system." My fears were allayed on my very first day of intern year when everyone on the team did everything they could to make me feel welcome. Since then, my appreciation for our faculty, staff and most importantly my co-residents has only grown. The camaraderie our team shares is what sets this program apart from all others. It is something I get to experience everyday at AFCH, not just between the interns and upper level residents, but also between the nursing staff and the numerous different care teams that work together to provide the best patient care possible. Be it Global Health, Patient Advocacy forums or Clinical Research, there are always opportunities to seek mentors in whichever area of medicine you're interested in. As residents, we are pushed to take on more responsibility and make independent decisions, all the while knowing that help is always around should we need it.

As a couple matching into the same program, Hannah and I were a little nervous about what life would be like while being in the same program. I can confidently say that since the day we interviewed, we have felt nothing but welcomed and supported. Despite moving amidst a pandemic and national social unrest, the program and current residents went above and beyond to make us feel welcomed. Our intern class comes from all different parts of the country and world and have a truly varied background. Many of my co-interns actually couples-matched to the program or had a significant other already in a UW program. As a couple matching into the same program, Hannah and I were a little nervous about what life would be like while being in the same program. We wondered if it would be more a challenge for the program and if the challenges of our unique situation would make us look unfavorable. I can confidently say that since the day we interviewed, we have felt nothing but welcomed and supported. It was clear that the program did the best they could to help give us schedules that would be as conducive as possible to maintaining a happy relationship. In fact, we even found a way to have all our vacation weeks together!  I understand that our situation is fairly unique, however I feel very strongly that it represents the flexible, understanding, and caring nature of the UW pediatric program.

Our proximity to the state capital allows us the opportunity to advocate for the rights and safety of children directly to the lawmakers and create tangible change. This pediatric program has been a phenomenal place to train for three main reasons: 1) The location of our hospital makes it a place where we get to meet a wide diversity of both people and disease, 2) The knowledge, skill, and support from our attendings and faculty make everyday education engaging and applicable, and 3) The friendship, collaboration, and encouragement from fellow co-residents creates a perfect environment to learn and grow as a physician. Our proximity to the state capital also allows us the opportunity to advocate for the rights and safety of children--our patients!--directly to the lawmakers and create tangible change. Outside of work, I have also loved the ability to explore a big city and eat brunch at new places on my weekends off, or enjoy nature with close access to lakes, bike paths, and gorgeous state parks. I highly recommend grabbing a hammock and snacking on some fried cheese curds next to Lake Monona! Wisconsin has felt like home since moving here, and this program like a big family. Even on some of the hardest days, I have felt the support and compassion from everyone around me lifting me up. I feel so lucky to be a part of this program with the opportunity to train alongside some of the best people I have ever met.